Has a higher ranking soldier ever tried to intimidate you?

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:43:52 -0400

I'd just deployed in Dec 1995 to Kaposvar, Hungary during OJE with another soldier from my unit. We were advanced party to hook up with two officers already there. I was a SSG the other was a SGT. My first day I was put on guard duty as SOG for a 24 hr duty. SGT McGee was to pull duty for the last part of my duty. At 0800 the next morning our relief never showed up. I relieved McGee of his duty and took over his position as the main entrance to the 3rd COSCOM TOC. Just after I took over, in comes a gaggle of officers, a COL was in the lead. I stood up gave the greeting of the day and asked the Colonel for his TOC I.D. badge. He didn't have one. Immediately a Major came forward and said, "This is the COSCOM Commander". I replied, "That's find sir, I need to see his TOC pass before I can admit him to the TOC." The Colonel stood there saying nothing, again the Major tried to press the issue. I came back with opening my "guard book" and showed him my special instructions which stated that no one was admitted unless they showed the proper I.D. it was signed by Colonel Brandt, Commanding (the COL standing before me). A Captain then came forward and said this is COL Brandt. I replied, looking the COL in the eyes, "Good Morning Sir, I need to see your badge or someone with a current badge can sign you in at the security desk down the hallway. " An officer got in my face and restated the facts and I stood, picking up my M16 and said no one is coming in unless I see the proper I.D. Finally one of the Captains went down the hallway, got a temp I.D. badge for the Colonel. Once he had the badge, I had him sign in with the CPT counter signing for him. All this time the Colonel never said a word, he knew I was right. I think he was pissed at his aids they hadn't gotten his I.D. squared away. Wonder what would have been said if I'd let him in?
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Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 11:51 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:51:01 -0400

Tried. Was it successful? No. In many cases it came off as if they were trying to "lay theirs on a table to have a measuring contest", but it just came off as petty.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 29 at 2015 11:54 AM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:54:17 -0400

Yes, coming up through the ranks I have had this occur. I told myself that it is not necessary to lead. I try to look at all aspects of a person when engaging in conversation. It is a task to maintain balance and not resort to intimidation but I am alway's re-evaluating they way I speak to people.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Apr 29 at 2015 11:56 AM

1SG Frank Boynton — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:56:16 -0400

Oh hell yes. I had a CSM constantly harassing me about my mustache. I was a Drill Sergeant in Ft. Dix in the early 80's. The Brigade CSM hated mustaches more than anything thing else. I was part of the Brigade Color Guard among other extra duties and he was always riding me. Of course it was within regulations so he had no grounds. One day he told me he was going to kick my ass if I didn't shave, and I told him that he better bring a step ladder if he thought he was big enough to kick my ass. After that, we got along great.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Apr 29 at 2015 12:23 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:23:02 -0400

SGM Mikel Dawson Great story. I was assigned to the 3rd COSCOM for the last 7 1/2 years of my service. We were stationed at Wiesbaden Air Base in Germany. This duty assignment was the Army's best kept secret. I did a Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT) and than decided to retire when Branch refused to work with me on my final assignment. It was the first and only staff assignment I did in the military. But got my 1st Sgt time there as well. What surprises me is that the Commander's slot back in 1992 was a 2-star billet. During peace time it was led by a 1-star. There were no less than 6 full bird colonels in the command, and so many LTC's and Major's they were tripping over themselves. When I was the 1st SGT of HHC, 3rd COSCOM, I had over 350 personnel assigned, only 165 of them were enlisted.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 29 at 2015 1:13 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:13:33 -0400

You did exactly the right thing. Nice work. The Colonel should have stopped by after your shift to buy you a beer, AFTER counseling his staff on the importance of security and how NOBODY is above it.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 29 at 2015 1:19 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:19:48 -0400

While Im sure there were many times, the only one comes to mind is when i was the RC-E JOC SGM.
Part of my tasking were to lead a small group of SME's to units in RC-E that were just coming on board.. Help them understand the processes for getting, using information from / to higher (CPOF). Processing requests for Air or UAV to indirect fire and on the ground missions.
I was the guy at the receiving end for some of this and responsible to ensure the other sections were able to, provided for the other needs.
I had a BDE commander TELL ME how it was going to be with regards to TELLING us when and how he would be conducting a mission.
I calmly explained what was required in in his request, how it needed to be submitted, the likely timeline for approval and his briefing requirements to the ADC M , before, during and after the mission...
I was read the riot act and again given DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM.
Yes sir I know who you are, and I know what Im telling you is what it is and if you have an issue with that you shoudl talk to the guy that sent me..

FINE WHAT'S HIS NAME... WHAT'S THAT light birds NAME I NEED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT.

Umm no sir, I flew in on the ADC'Ms personal Helo, I report to him and the RC-E commander and the G3, all of which have both rank and position of authority over you and your unit. Would you like the direct numbers? or are you going to be sending your demands via email?

He left, came back in a few minutes after having spoken to my G3....I seemed to have full corporation at that point. ,, Heck I was trying to make things EASIER for him and his operation, not fight with them.

What I found out later is, the G3 was in a meeting with the Commander and ADC-M when he took the call... Im not privy to the specific words spoken, but I was told it was loud, direct and unquestionably stated that if SGM Marquez was making a suggested course of action or requirement for processing data or requests, it should be considered as coming from them.

What a waste of time for all involved ..all over Ego

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 2 at 2015 7:58 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 02 May 2015 07:58:40 -0400

All the time. Usually it was a junior officer trying to tell me to get their ship's communications up RIGHT NOW even though they refused to submit the proper Communications Guard Shift message. I'm sorry but that's not how it works and everyone is required to submit the message. Maintain your professionalism even if the officer doesn't and you'll never go wrong.

Response by SGM Nathan Thomas made May 6 at 2015 12:51 PM

SGM Nathan Thomas — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:51:31 -0400

The direct answer to the question is yes to the intimidation. I want to put a however to this as there is negative and positive in my view. Negative when it is for personal gains or asking for something which is not ethical or moral. Positive when trying to get things done for the right reasons. Examples:

Negative: General Officer had GFOQ furniture shipped when he knew it was wrong and was required to pay for the furniture before his clearance papers could be signed. He tried using his rank to bully the housing folks into signing his clearance papers.

Positive: Soldier had an emergency where he needed to get home as they did not know how much longer his mother had to live after being struck by a vehicle while she was in a cross walk. The personnel were dragging their feet on getting the soldier's paperwork for getting out on emergency leave, so the CSM stepped in and threatened to have the lunch of anyone that did not put this soldier's actions at the top of their list! He said the key word was emergency and all other requirements had been met, so there were no excuses for not getting that private taken care of at once. He did not use ASAP because he said that was a way out because their soon as possible was not his soon as possible, therefore he said at once and gave them three hours and he had better have papers in hand and on the first thing smoking to see his mom!

I think everyone is looking at the negatives, but there are times when it can be positive!

Response by SSgt Victor Young made May 6 at 2015 1:09 PM

SSgt Victor Young — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:09:42 -0400

I had a retired Major try to bully me on a civilian job, talking about that if we where still on duty I would have to follow his directive because I was an NCO. I stated to him that if we where Me, as a SSg Security Policeman or an NCO period I had the authority to apprehend him under UCMJ not only as active duty, but as a retiree, national gaurd, reserves.

Punitive Articles of the UCMJ
Article 2 of the UCMJ. Persons subject to this chapter

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 1:38 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:38:25 -0400

Very good point about allowing anyone on base without the proper credentials. This also includes any conversation that might be an OPSEC issue. I had that Ramstein where a Major wanted drop wanted winds for 24 hours in advance and I told him you have to get clearance to get that information.

He told me, SSgt Olson, "you have to tell me". I said, "then call my commander and request the information". I explained that if a wind shift had occurred between the time of the briefing and the actual mission (which not scheduled) and the winds picked up or we had low level sheer that I would be held responsible.

I never placated an officer or NCO for that matter when safety or security was involved.

We also had a Colonel who wanted Weather Information on an insecure line and I refused and I was sort of nervous because that information was to be picked up by a courier and we were not allowed to give that over phone, but still, he was a Colonel. The next day during a swing shift our own commander lauded me for my decision-making and I was in the right. Unfortunately our commander had to smooth out ruffled wings.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made May 6 at 2015 2:00 PM

1SG Michael Farrell — Wed, 06 May 2015 14:00:33 -0400

I think it kind of goes with the turf. A lot of what we considered hard core behavior was really just bullying and silliness. A lot of what seems like intimidation is in the mind of the soldier on the end of the one-way counseling session.

I learned that that wasn't my style, and tried pretty hard not to allow myself as I got more rank and the ability to make other people's lives miserable to sink to that sort of behavior. I had a problem soldier in my last assignment, and his NCOs on a daily basis were bringing the kid to me. He was just lost -- small town, isolated childhood in Wyoming and really confused. He'd work hard, but he got into the the wildest messes just because he was naive and, for lack of a better word, stupid. I worried that our constant kerfluffles were screwing with my head, so I spoke with out chaplain. He listened, smiled and told me that he was sure I was not bullying the kid so much as trying to get through to him, and the reason he could be sure about it was that I was bothered by it. Chaptered him out, and a couple of months later got a call from him, telling how grateful he was for all my efforts. Go figure.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 6 at 2015 4:25 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:25:33 -0400

I had a similar situation but the difference in ranks was even greater...during an FTX I was sitting in our TOW Jeep (if that doesn't date me?) as a young private over watching a road. I could see the General walking toward me...but thought if I keep my eye looking through the site, he will never see me. Sure enough he walks over to my jeep, with a line of officers trailing him, and asks if he can climb into my Gunner's seat. I didn't recognize one of the officers with him...of course I would not have recognized any of them outside my Company. I had to tell the General "Sorry General, I don't know who you are and I can't let you on unless someone in my chain of command tells me it is okay." My eye to the site the whole time.

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made May 6 at 2015 4:52 PM

MSgt Brian Welch — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:52:32 -0400

I had one try to make me change a rating for one of my troops he was messing with. Said he'd end my career. It didn't work out for him. Sometimes it takes balls and integrity.

Response by LTC Lewis Cox made May 7 at 2015 6:34 AM

LTC Lewis Cox — Thu, 07 May 2015 06:34:55 -0400

You may well have lost a stripe! Orders are ORDERS!!! In your place I would have done the same!

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made May 7 at 2015 12:43 PM

CSM Michael Lynch — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:43:45 -0400

Yes a young fairly new pilot CPT tried, told me his Aircraft needed to be ready to go ASAP and be ready with in the hour, I tried to explain to him that it wouldn't be happening that soon and wouldn't be for several hours. He proceeded to tell SGT it will get done and now. Roger that Sir, 15 minutes later I handed him his Dead lined paperwork explaining that it would most likely take about 2 weeks to rectify the Red X issues.

He stormed into the CW4 and told him that I just dead lined his aircraft, Chief just looked at him shook his head and said 'What did you do" The young CPT told him how he demanded his aircraft form me. Chief said I suggest you go out there and apologize to that SGT and his team and learn some respect, you need them to fly they don't need you to work.

He came back tail between his legs and a great relationship bloomed after that day. LOL still smile thinking about him. Salutes

Response by CPO Benjamin Walker made May 7 at 2015 1:21 PM

CPO Benjamin Walker — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:21:36 -0400

If you haven't been intimidated by a higher rank then you were not in the military. If you think that I am wrong take a trip down memory lane to your basic training. To build a top level combatant (marine, soldier, airdale, or sailor) you must first remove the civilian in them.

Intimidation is a big part of motivating an individual to exceed their preconceived limits of capability.

Response by SFC John Styron made May 9 at 2015 12:30 AM

SFC John Styron — Sat, 09 May 2015 00:30:42 -0400

This is very long, should be a good read for some of you, but here goes.

Here is a story that the cliché "it's who you know" that can be the opposite of a good thing. All because of one individual, it had an effect on me and my subordinates for many years. In my case, my bad relationship with a leader of mine had a significant impact on me that lasted more than 8 years of my life in the Army. At least one third of my service time. This is a classic case of abuse of position and power.

The year is 1983. As a SSG/squad leader in an Airborne Infantry platoon, because of my high standard performance, I along with another squad leader were selectively moved from one platoon in the company to another platoon to strengthen its squad level leadership, for the platoon I was being moved to, lacked greatly in its ability to perform basic fundamental Infantry collective tasks compared to the other two Infantry platoons.

On arrival, I received counseling from the PSG and the PL as it is standard procedure on arrival to a new unit. Immediately I could tell in part why this platoon I was being assigned to was incompetent. It starts at the top with the leadership. The PSG came off as very arrogant and his body language was already telling me that he thought his shi ite didn't stink. This in itself will surely crack the foundation of a platoon's morale and integrity. Over the next so many months, I observed that it was a tumultuous affair between particularly the PSG and the entire platoon. Sure, a leader doesn't have to be liked but, if the entire platoon of subordinate ranks has nothing good to say, then one could easily ascertain what the real problem is.

This Airborne Infantry Company I was in, had a lot of prestige and honor to uphold. We had insanely high standards in both garrison and in the field. This was a good thing as through the rest of my service, I judged all units and leadership and compared them to the days I was assigned to this unit. Every morning, room and wall locker inspections. Everything was not dress right dress, it was better than dress right dress. It was perfect. The slightest waiver of perfection was dealt with in re-inspections after duty hours to include written counseling and extra duty as punishment. Fridays always consisted of full field equipment laid out in the formation area, in ranks dress greens inspection and room and wall locker inspections by the 1SG and the CO.

Any very slight deficiency was dealt with in the manner I spoke previously of. The Co when inspecting rooms would remove mattresses from bunk frames and run his finger along the little support edges. If even a speck of dust or fuzz was found on his finger, the platoon would be re-inspected at a later time. The CO would get on his hands and knees and run his hand against the floor where it meets the base board of the wall. Again, just a spec or one fiber of fuzz would negate the rest of the inspection as it meant we failed the inspection. So....this was the minimum standard we established as a unit. Don't know whether I should be proud of such a standard or, instead identify it as the most ridiculous and of the highest stupidity one could deem of such. Perhaps we could have better spent this time doing training. Well, I guess it could also be an association with for "paying attention to detail".

Our PT. We ran in boots. Company and platoon runs, we maintained a pretty good pace but it was the Wednesday runs where we excelled. We ran in groups. Fast, medium and other. Of course all of the studs automatically moved to the fast group when directed to break ranks and move to one of the groups. This group consisted of mostly if not distinctly NCOs with most being squad leaders and the rest of younger team leaders. Never saw the CO or his LTs or a platoon sergeant or a 1SG and the SMG dare not even come near the company on this day. There may have been an E-4 Specialist or Corporal or two in the ranks also. We ran around the airfield and back to the company which was a little more than 4.5 miles to almost 5 miles. We ran at a 6 minute pace for the entire length. If you fell out of the run oh well. You were left behind. We usually finished with about no more than 8 out of a group of maybe 15+.
Okay back to the platoon I am now assigned to. Keep in mind as I tell this story, this arrogant PSG and I would eventually cause a highly conflictual relationship between the two of us as at that time, I was a young, dumb, full of you know what and I knew I was a badass. But I was disciplined and gave respect as necessary. While assigned to this platoon, the standard for promotion of the lowest ranks E-1/E-2/E-3, hinged directly on me as a squad leader and how well I prepared these young men for the next rank. I led from the front and so I set a standard extremely difficult but I always demonstrated it and so I gained genuine respect from my subordinates.

Usually for promotion time I, the PSG and the PL sat in the CP and discussed who I thought deserved promotion. One of my soldiers was outstanding, and I was trying to get him promoted to E-3. For over 6 months, each month I submitted him for promotion and the PSG would hohum and deny the promotion for this guy. The PSG would always give a reason or direct that "let’s wait another month" and see how the soldier's performance was. After 6 months, I got tired of his BS. The entire company and all personnel assigned, attended a company meeting and the CO was discussing events on the short range calendar. When he was done, he asked if there were any questions and or if there was any other issues that any of us wanted to address. So I stood up, addressed my situation concerning my dilemma with the PSG and my soldier. The CO being as tactful as could, knowing he had to stay on the fence with the issue, simply said well the subordinate leader should always have the primary say on who under his rank should be promoted.

Immediately after we were released from the company meeting, the PSG called for a meeting of all his NCOs. He then started immediately addressing us NCOs with "there are nothing but backstabbers in this platoon". I stood up right away and said sergeant, you're not talking about the rest of these NCOs, you're referring to me. He said, I was right. So......I knew the target was on my chest and it was big. Of course I as a SSG then would pay the price for my action and I did for the rest of the time under his warped style of leadership. For the rest of the time in that platoon, that PSG made life very difficult for me and my squad. Well...... once I left that unit, I was sure I would never see him again. Bahahahahahaha! Was I freakin' wrong.
Near 6 years later and after I left the service for about a year and a half, after joining back up, I was assigned back to Ft. Bragg (1989). The company was in the field when I arrived. I had retained the rank as a SSG when I re-entered the service. The CO called me in his office and we had a conversation for nearly four hours on opinions and philosophy and styles of leadership. At the end of the meeting he directed that he was assigning me as the PSG for 2nd platoon as he had just relieved the platoon sergeant. Second platoon also did not have a 2nd Lieutenant assigned. While out in the field, the entire platoon had been found asleep at 0800 in the morning when the CO approached their perimeter. He said that he was having a great deal of problems in second platoon with discipline.

The platoon upon return from the field had heard they had a new PSG. I immediately had a meeting with the squad leaders and then the rest of the platoon. I didn't say much as I more or less just introduced myself. The next Monday arrived and I went through the rooms before PT. Needless to say, I was not happy with noticing a total lack of any conceivable standard. Even those squad leaders who had their own rooms, lived like pigs. The common areas were disgusting. We then did PT of which I noticed a significant portion were out of shape. So...... Over the next so many months, reluctantly and with much opposition, the platoon had changed. Room and wall locker inspections every day, PT twice a day. When we were in the field, re-establishment of field standards, SOPs and tactics. At one point, I acting as the PL, while in the field, we did a platoon live fire (attack on a defense) and I did it text book style. After the live fire, during the AAR, the CO looked at the other PLs and said to them that the way I did the attack live fire is how they are supposed to do it. Of course this pissed them off as they were embarrassed that little ole' me a SSG did better than them in the CO's eyes. This would come to haunt me later.

Within several months, the CO decides to resign from the Army and the 1SG decides he wants a different assignment. So in comes a new CO and a new 1SG. Oh shi ite. The 1SG is/was my old PSG from earlier days. What freakin' luck! Bad luck that is. He sees me, walks up to me, doesn't shake my hand and all he says is "remember the old standards, nothing has changed!" Well, I knew we were in for his revenge on me. Sure enough, throughout the rest of my time in that company, he tried to make things absolutely miserable for me and my platoon. It was so bad that as an example, we were required to have the common areas clean every day before being released. I knew what this 1SG would do and I knew I had to prepare the platoon for his BS. So as an example, I supervised the cleaning of the latrine. All white tile with a compliment of black tiles interlaced for accent. I had the squad responsible, move to the latrine. I demonstrated with a floor buffer and cleanser how to thoroughly scrub the floor. So the squad then cleaned the latrine. I stayed right there and helped. The entire latrine was scrubbed down and sterilized. You would have invited your mother in there to eat off the floor, out of the pisser and or out of the shitter, it was so clean. During the 1SG's inspection, he walks in the latrine and points to the floor saying there is a mark here where he was pointing. There was no mark as I challenged him and called him on it as BS but it didn't surprise me as to what he was up to and my squad leader and his team leaders were astonished at this crap. They couldn't believe it. I immediately said to the 1SG, "BS, you're doing this to f%ck with this platoon". He ignored me and went on with the rest of his inspection. So.....you can only imagine what life was like under this "jackwagon".

My platoon was constantly badgered by the 1SG and things started to get worse with his behind my back constantly characterizing me in a bad way to the new CO and the PLs of the other platoons.
Fast forward. Just a month before deployment, I receive a cherry new 2nd Lieutenant. We deployed/jumped on Tocumen into Panama ("Justcause"). First morning on the ground as we load Blackhawks to conduct an air-movement to our follow-on objective, with each Infantry platoon filling two Blackhawks with gutted only floorboard space. My platoon was split in half waiting there on Tocumen, as the sortie of 6 aircraft come in and landed, we did a hot load, rushing to the side of the aircraft and loading as fast as possible. Just as we were loaded and about to lift, the CO and 1SG come running to my aircraft and tell me I can only take half my platoon. WTF!!!!!! So we quickly offloaded with blades still turning and I directed that all E-4 and above and primary weapons, (M60s, M249s and M203s) must go. We did this quick exchange with me not being given the time to take accountability of who had what systems and what aircraft they were on and who was being left behind. I left my senior squad leader behind to take care of the other half of the platoon. Boy were they pissed.

The fact that I could not account for the next several weeks of those weapons systems and personnel back at Tocumen would later be reason by my XO to support a character assassination by my 1SG, the CO and others within the chain of command. Yet through the next several weeks, the XO would travel daily back to Tocumen and he had the ability to communicate with my squad leader I left in charge to take care of the platoon personnel left at Tocumen. The XO conducted daily equipment and personnel reports that he had to send to Battalion and so he instead of understanding that it was impossible for me to account for that of equipment and personnel left back at Tocumen instead he reported that I was incompetent in my abilities as a PSG and that I was unable to perform basic daily functions.

Okay back to day one on the ground. We conduct the air movement/assault going into a hot LZ. After a pilot took a round through the skull, all flights into that area were halted. On the ground there, we were tasked with taking a PDF Infantry Company compound on top of a huge hill. With very little resistance we took the compound and established a Battalion perimeter. The first night, I just got done checking security of my line. Everyone was awake as we were still hyped up. As I sat down next to one of my squad leaders, in the darkness, I noticed the CO was walking the line making his own check of security. No call down to the platoon to let us know he was coming by. Four days later, I would be informed that he wanted to court-martial a team leader in my platoon for being asleep on security when he checked the perimeter. BS, because I had just got done checking the perimeter and I personally had talked to that team leader along with the other soldier in that position. The next day my company was tasked with moving and securing a power station but I and half my platoon (17) soldiers were tasked with staying behind. So we were also tasked with taking responsibility of the rest of the company’s defensive sector.

For the next week, my half platoon was tasked with providing six-man details to the SMG. I was getting pissed because as I provided these six men every day to do bullshit shitty details, HHC company scouts, snipers, etc., were chilling inside the buildings of the compound. It was hot outside and we weren’t getting resupplied with fresh water and food. For three days, my platoon lived off of the 1 MRE each we had in our butt packs when we did the air movement. Little did I know that the rest of my company was getting resupply and the 1SG was not ensuring that my platoon was getting a portion of the resupply. It was three days later that the team leader approached me and informed me of what the CO was wanting to do to him and of the situation. To this day I don’t know why he didn’t come and tell me immediately and I don’t know why the CO did not inform me of the circumstances.

After so many days of getting tasking’s from the SMG, I had enough and called him on it as to why am I seeing all of HHC sitting and relaxing in the cool shade of the buildings while my half platoon was out in the sun all day with additionally being tasked with providing six-man details and the fact that Battalion was not giving us resupply. SMG ripped into me telling me not to tell him how to do his job. What a POS.

After ten days of this BS, my 1SG shows up and informs me that I will move my platoon to the location with the rest of the company. So we load up on several HUMWVES and move to the power station. As we arrive, the 1SG told me he and the CO wanted to talk to me. So I go up to their command location in a conference room of the power station. While waiting for them, the 1SG comes in the room and has this huge spaghetti in a steak roll sandwich and he sits down right in front of me and begins to devour the sandwich. I asked him as I was already getting pissed as to where he got it from. He stated that they have been getting this type of food for some time now. I was furious with knowing my platoon was starving the entire time we were back at the other location with little in support and resupply to my platoon.
The CO walks in and sits down. They both inform me of the situation with the team leader. Keep in mind this is now ten days later from when the so-called infraction was committed by the team leader. They ask me if I would support them on requesting a court-martial for the young sergeant. I first look at them and I ask, are you f&cking kidding? They said emphatically no. I said well I support my team leader and as a matter of fact I know he was awake when you the CO walked the perimeter because I just got done walking the perimeter and I had just left that team leader’s position and he was wide awake.

I could see the blood swelling in both their faces when they realized I was not on their side. Without further discussion, I was dismissed. The team leader and I were in discussions often and he asked what I thought he should do. I recommended he take the court-marital as I thought he could beat it easily.

Within three days, a preliminary hearing occurred. I was summoned along with my PL and the team leader. We were directed to report in front of the Battalion Commander. All three of us walk into this large room where the entire battalion staff of officers, other company commanders and 1SGs and a JAG attorney were present. Why all those f%cks were there, I have no idea. Sitting at a table center with the entire group behind him, was the Battalion Commander and the SMG. A lot of documents lay there in front of the BC. So the BC then issues the charges and he asks the team leader first what he desired to do. The team leader stated that he wanted to go through with the court-martial proceedings. The BC began to get very upset. He started threatening the team leader with that he could have him put in front of a firing squad and have him shot. I knew the BS was getting deep and I knew the BC was bluffing in hopes of trying to get the team leader to cave in and accept his punishment.

But the team leader stood his ground as I directed him to before the proceedings. I knew they had nothing on him. The BC then turned to me and asked my thoughts. I said that it was all BS and that it was the CO’s word against my team leader and that I also told the BC what occurred that first night with me checking my perimeter and that the CO had checked it shortly after I did. So it was impossible for the team leader to be found asleep while on security.
The BC then asks the cherry 2nd Lieutenant what he thought. Before the proceedings, the lieutenant told the team leader he was on his side and he ensured him that he would support the team leader before going into the proceedings, I couldn’t believe the words that came out of his mouth. The coward lieutenant caved in and said “burn him sir”. What a freakin’ POS.
So we all stood at attention for a short period when the BC directed us to leave and wait outside. We waited for over two hours and then were called back in. As we reported and saluted, I could see the BC’s leg under the table bouncing up and down intensely and I could see he was not happy. A nice warm feeling passed through my entire body. The BC had his arms crossed and he was looking down at the documents. He then looks up at the team leader and threatens him again with a firing squad and asks him one more time if he wanted to relinquish his request for a special quart-martial. The team leader stated he still wanted to go through with it. So the BC begins to turn multiple shades of dark red. With ferocity, the BC grabs a pile of the documents in front of him and he throws them violently in the air. He yells at the team leader “insufficient evidence, now get the f%ck out of here” as the documents descend. We all salute and quickly turn and march out of the room.

Shortly after we left the room, the 1SG and the SMG came out. I knew there was hell to pay for my platoon would never escape their wrath if I stayed. So I asked the SMG if I could speak to him and the 1SG privately. We went into the kitchen. I requested an immediate transfer to another battalion for fear of reprisal and fear that my platoon would suffer because of these events that occurred. I stood at parade rest for more than 2.5 hours while I was yelled at and lectured on supporting my chain of command. What f%ckin’ bozos. We jumped back into Bragg and the very next Tuesday, I reported to a sister battalion and stood outside the office of the SMG for over four hours. He barks at me and he says without looking me in the eye, I know who you are now report to the 1SG at C Company. So I report to that 1SG. As I walk into his office, I told him who I was. He says okay tell me your story. So I told him what happened. He immediately picks up the phone and calls the 1SG who I had great conflict with in my previous company and he tells the 1SG the story that I just told him and then he asks if it is true. Unbelievably that POS 1SG from the previous company said “yes. It’s true”.

But this didn’t get me off the hook. I was probably the most senior ranking SSG in Division. Yet I was assigned as a squad leader and the PSG of another platoon had less time in grade than I. I accepted my fate and kept my mouth shut. Seven months later, Saddam invaded Kuwait. We were the DRF 1. We deployed August 15th to Saudi. For the next six months I was treated like a red headed step child.

So the word about me from the previous battalion followed me. We were on Sultan range, conducting platoon live fires. We had an old crusty PSG assigned to our platoon. The guy was old and still in fairly good shape. He and I talked quite a bit and he and the current SMG go way back. This old crusty PSG was a DSC recipient from Vietnam as the only scout to survive an ambush off of a hot LZ where he turned into the ambush with his M6o and attacked killing VC up and down their ambush line. He destroyed the VC ambush emplacement single handedly. I had the utmost respect for this guy.

Well, while we were on Sultan range, the CO and 1SG come over and observe our platoon conducting blank fire attack practices with doing 700 meter IMTs from hell across the open hot as all hell desert. The CO didn’t like how the assault element was attacking across the objective and he vehemently tried to suggest we attack from a different angle. Well, I had to disagree as by doing so would cause the assault element which I was the lead of to fire outside the range fan which would endanger another platoon 2000 meters away conducting the same attack on another objective. Immediately the 1SG went off on me demanding I listen to the CO.

We conducted the live fire and denied the CO his wishes. On consolidate and reorganize the CO and the 1SG call a cease of training. The CO then calls the LT over and begins to rip into him. The 1SG then calls us squad leaders and the PSG over where he begins to rip into us. So I had to open my mouth. I forgot what I said but, the 1SG immediately with yelling to the rest of the squad leaders and the PSG to move out and the 1SG then rushed right up to me and throws his knife hand in my face and he begins a verbal assault on me. I immediately go to parade rest with my weapon at order arms. Little did I know that my entire squad had locked and loaded on the 1SG. They were ready to kill him. They had tolerated his berating and screaming and hollering at NCOs and soldiers long before I arrived in that unit.

Now it is freakin’ hot as hell. I’m standing there sweating profusely from the 120-30+ temperature and having to do an IMT three second rush with my assault element across a 700 meter open area that we had just practiced three times before with blanks. As I stood there at parade rest with the 1SG screaming and hollering at me with his hand just a hair from my nose, the 1SG was kind of expecting me to respond or recognize in some fashion to his with berating and yelling at me. His head swells and turns near purple as he commands me while he grits out of the side of his mouth that I respond with either “yes first sergeant, no first sergeant or clear first sergeant”. So I growl and grit my teeth never wavering as I continue to look straight into this 1SG’s eyes cause I’m furious also and I’m about to bring the butt of my weapon up and across the side of his head. So I respond with a very disrespecting gritting through my teeth, “yes first sergeant”.

My actions flustered the 1SG so much he didn’t know what to do but to yell at me to get the f%ck out of his face.

The PSG had enough of this 1SG’s crap, went to the SMG and asked to be moved to another position in the battalion. The SMG gave him the Air S-3 position. Shortly after the PSG moved, the SMG directed that I report to him. I reported and he had a yellow folder on his desk. He said while tapping the folder with his finger that he had a file on me and was keeping track of me and my performance after I was assigned to his battalion from the other battalion. He asked me of what I thought about his old friend the crusty old PSG. I told him I had 150% respect for the guy and that I would support him anytime and that I thought he was a real soldier compared to many others. I also said that I support all Vietnam veterans as they had been to a real war and they went through hell. The SMG looks at me and picks up the folder and said that he really appreciated what I said and that he liked me. He said he was going to throw away the file he had on me. As he was saying this, and he had the yellow folder in his hands, I could see there was nothing in the folder. It was a brand new folder with nothing even written on it.

Several months later, once the war started, we moved by convoy into Iraq. Coincidence my squad was selected to be the breach squad for the first wire and mine obstacle we would encounter if we came under fire and had to attack the positions.

The ground war ended within the week. We stayed in Iraq for near another month and then deployed back to Khobar towers, cleaned up and redeployed back to Bragg.

That 1SG was moved to HHC. I received a class date for ANCOC and left Bragg never to return. So there you have it. Life of a subordinate under the power and arrogance of a few a-holes.

Response by SFC John Styron made May 9 at 2015 12:38 AM

SFC John Styron — Sat, 09 May 2015 00:38:15 -0400

This is very long, should be a good read for some of you, but here goes.
Here is a story that the cliché "it's who you know" that can be the opposite of a good thing. All because of one individual, it had an effect on me and my subordinates for many years. In my case, my bad relationship with a leader of mine had a significant impact on me that lasted more than 8 years of my life in the Army. At least one third of my service time. This is a classic case of abuse of position and power.
The year is 1983. As a SSG/squad leader in an Airborne Infantry platoon, because of my high standard performance, I along with another squad leader were selectively moved from one platoon in the company to another platoon to strengthen its squad level leadership, for the platoon I was being moved to, lacked greatly in its ability to perform basic fundamental Infantry collective tasks compared to the other two Infantry platoons.
On arrival, I received counseling from the PSG and the PL as it is standard procedure on arrival to a new unit. Immediately I could tell in part why this platoon I was being assigned to was incompetent. It starts at the top with the leadership. The PSG came off as very arrogant and his body language was already telling me that he thought his shi ite didn't stink. This in itself will surely crack the foundation of a platoon's morale and integrity. Over the next so many months, I observed that it was a tumultuous affair between particularly the PSG and the entire platoon. Sure, a leader doesn't have to be liked but, if the entire platoon of subordinate ranks has nothing good to say, then one could easily ascertain what the real problem is.
This Airborne Infantry Company I was in, had a lot of prestige and honor to uphold. We had insanely high standards in both garrison and in the field. This was a good thing as through the rest of my service, I judged all units and leadership and compared them to the days I was assigned to this unit. Every morning, room and wall locker inspections. Everything was not dress right dress, it was better than dress right dress. It was perfect. The slightest waiver of perfection was dealt with in re-inspections after duty hours to include written counseling and extra duty as punishment. Fridays always consisted of full field equipment laid out in the formation area, in ranks dress greens inspection and room and wall locker inspections by the 1SG and the CO.
Any very slight deficiency was dealt with in the manner I spoke previously of. The Co when inspecting rooms would remove mattresses from bunk frames and run his finger along the little support edges. If even a speck of dust or fuzz was found on his finger, the platoon would be re-inspected at a later time. The CO would get on his hands and knees and run his hand against the floor where it meets the base board of the wall. Again, just a spec or one fiber of fuzz would negate the rest of the inspection as it meant we failed the inspection. So....this was the minimum standard we established as a unit. Don't know whether I should be proud of such a standard or, instead identify it as the most ridiculous and of the highest stupidity one could deem of such. Perhaps we could have better spent this time doing training. Well, I guess it could also be an association with for "paying attention to detail".
Our PT. We ran in boots. Company and platoon runs, we maintained a pretty good pace but it was the Wednesday runs where we excelled. We ran in groups. Fast, medium and other. Of course all of the studs automatically moved to the fast group when directed to break ranks and move to one of the groups. This group consisted of mostly if not distinctly NCOs with most being squad leaders and the rest of younger team leaders. Never saw the CO or his LTs or a platoon sergeant or a 1SG and the SMG dare not even come near the company on this day. There may have been an E-4 Specialist or Corporal or two in the ranks also. We ran around the airfield and back to the company which was a little more than 4.5 miles to almost 5 miles. We ran at a 6 minute pace for the entire length. If you fell out of the run oh well. You were left behind. We usually finished with about no more than 8 out of a group of maybe 15+.
Okay back to the platoon I am now assigned to. Keep in mind as I tell this story, this arrogant PSG and I would eventually cause a highly conflictual relationship between the two of us as at that time, I was a young, dumb, full of you know what and I knew I was a badass. But I was disciplined and gave respect as necessary. While assigned to this platoon, the standard for promotion of the lowest ranks E-1/E-2/E-3, hinged directly on me as a squad leader and how well I prepared these young men for the next rank. I led from the front and so I set a standard extremely difficult but I always demonstrated it and so I gained genuine respect from my subordinates.
Usually for promotion time I, the PSG and the PL sat in the CP and discussed who I thought deserved promotion. One of my soldiers was outstanding, and I was trying to get him promoted to E-3. For over 6 months, each month I submitted him for promotion and the PSG would hohum and deny the promotion for this guy. The PSG would always give a reason or direct that "let’s wait another month" and see how the soldier's performance was. After 6 months, I got tired of his BS. The entire company and all personnel assigned, attended a company meeting and the CO was discussing events on the short range calendar. When he was done, he asked if there were any questions and or if there was any other issues that any of us wanted to address. So I stood up, addressed my situation concerning my dilemma with the PSG and my soldier. The CO being as tactful as could, knowing he had to stay on the fence with the issue, simply said well the subordinate leader should always have the primary say on who under his rank should be promoted.
Immediately after we were released from the company meeting, the PSG called for a meeting of all his NCOs. He then started immediately addressing us NCOs with "there are nothing but backstabbers in this platoon". I stood up right away and said sergeant, you're not talking about the rest of these NCOs, you're referring to me. He said, I was right. So......I knew the target was on my chest and it was big. Of course I as a SSG then would pay the price for my action and I did for the rest of the time under his warped style of leadership. For the rest of the time in that platoon, that PSG made life very difficult for me and my squad. Well...... once I left that unit, I was sure I would never see him again. Bahahahahahaha! Was I freakin' wrong.
Near 6 years later and after I left the service for about a year and a half, after joining back up, I was assigned back to Ft. Bragg (1989). The company was in the field when I arrived. I had retained the rank as a SSG when I re-entered the service. The CO called me in his office and we had a conversation for nearly four hours on opinions and philosophy and styles of leadership. At the end of the meeting he directed that he was assigning me as the PSG for 2nd platoon as he had just relieved the platoon sergeant. Second platoon also did not have a 2nd Lieutenant assigned. While out in the field, the entire platoon had been found asleep at 0800 in the morning when the CO approached their perimeter. He said that he was having a great deal of problems in second platoon with discipline.
The platoon upon return from the field had heard they had a new PSG. I immediately had a meeting with the squad leaders and then the rest of the platoon. I didn't say much as I more or less just introduced myself. The next Monday arrived and I went through the rooms before PT. Needless to say, I was not happy with noticing a total lack of any conceivable standard. Even those squad leaders who had their own rooms, lived like pigs. The common areas were disgusting. We then did PT of which I noticed a significant portion were out of shape. So...... Over the next so many months, reluctantly and with much opposition, the platoon had changed. Room and wall locker inspections every day, PT twice a day. When we were in the field, re-establishment of field standards, SOPs and tactics. At one point, I acting as the PL, while in the field, we did a platoon live fire (attack on a defense) and I did it text book style. After the live fire, during the AAR, the CO looked at the other PLs and said to them that the way I did the attack live fire is how they are supposed to do it. Of course this pissed them off as they were embarrassed that little ole' me a SSG did better than them in the CO's eyes. This would come to haunt me later.
Within several months, the CO decides to resign from the Army and the 1SG decides he wants a different assignment. So in comes a new CO and a new 1SG. Oh shi ite. The 1SG is/was my old PSG from earlier days. What freakin' luck! Bad luck that is. He sees me, walks up to me, doesn't shake my hand and all he says is "remember the old standards, nothing has changed!" Well, I knew we were in for his revenge on me. Sure enough, throughout the rest of my time in that company, he tried to make things absolutely miserable for me and my platoon. It was so bad that as an example, we were required to have the common areas clean every day before being released. I knew what this 1SG would do and I knew I had to prepare the platoon for his BS. So as an example, I supervised the cleaning of the latrine. All white tile with a compliment of black tiles interlaced for accent. I had the squad responsible, move to the latrine. I demonstrated with a floor buffer and cleanser how to thoroughly scrub the floor. So the squad then cleaned the latrine. I stayed right there and helped. The entire latrine was scrubbed down and sterilized. You would have invited your mother in there to eat off the floor, out of the pisser and or out of the shitter, it was so clean. During the 1SG's inspection, he walks in the latrine and points to the floor saying there is a mark here where he was pointing. There was no mark as I challenged him and called him on it as BS but it didn't surprise me as to what he was up to and my squad leader and his team leaders were astonished at this crap. They couldn't believe it. I immediately said to the 1SG, "BS, you're doing this to f%ck with this platoon". He ignored me and went on with the rest of his inspection. So.....you can only imagine what life was like under this "jackwagon".
My platoon was constantly badgered by the 1SG and things started to get worse with his behind my back constantly characterizing me in a bad way to the new CO and the PLs of the other platoons.
Fast forward. Just a month before deployment, I receive a cherry new 2nd Lieutenant. We deployed/jumped on Tocumen into Panama ("Justcause"). First morning on the ground as we load Blackhawks to conduct an air-movement to our follow-on objective, with each Infantry platoon filling two Blackhawks with gutted only floorboard space. My platoon was split in half waiting there on Tocumen, as the sortie of 6 aircraft come in and landed, we did a hot load, rushing to the side of the aircraft and loading as fast as possible. Just as we were loaded and about to lift, the CO and 1SG come running to my aircraft and tell me I can only take half my platoon. WTF!!!!!! So we quickly offloaded with blades still turning and I directed that all E-4 and above and primary weapons, (M60s, M249s and M203s) must go. We did this quick exchange with me not being given the time to take accountability of who had what systems and what aircraft they were on and who was being left behind. I left my senior squad leader behind to take care of the other half of the platoon. Boy were they pissed.
The fact that I could not account for the next several weeks of those weapons systems and personnel back at Tocumen would later be reason by my XO to support a character assassination by my 1SG, the CO and others within the chain of command. Yet through the next several weeks, the XO would travel daily back to Tocumen and he had the ability to communicate with my squad leader I left in charge to take care of the platoon personnel left at Tocumen. The XO conducted daily equipment and personnel reports that he had to send to Battalion and so he instead of understanding that it was impossible for me to account for that of equipment and personnel left back at Tocumen instead he reported that I was incompetent in my abilities as a PSG and that I was unable to perform basic daily functions.
Okay back to day one on the ground. We conduct the air movement/assault going into a hot LZ. After a pilot took a round through the skull, all flights into that area were halted. On the ground there, we were tasked with taking a PDF Infantry Company compound on top of a huge hill. With very little resistance we took the compound and established a Battalion perimeter. The first night, I just got done checking security of my line. Everyone was awake as we were still hyped up. As I sat down next to one of my squad leaders, in the darkness, I noticed the CO was walking the line making his own check of security. No call down to the platoon to let us know he was coming by. Four days later, I would be informed that he wanted to court-martial a team leader in my platoon for being asleep on security when he checked the perimeter. BS, because I had just got done checking the perimeter and I personally had talked to that team leader along with the other soldier in that position. The next day my company was tasked with moving and securing a power station but I and half my platoon (17) soldiers were tasked with staying behind. So we were also tasked with taking responsibility of the rest of the company’s defensive sector.
For the next week, my half platoon was tasked with providing six-man details to the SMG. I was getting pissed because as I provided these six men every day to do bullshit shitty details, HHC company scouts, snipers, etc., were chilling inside the buildings of the compound. It was hot outside and we weren’t getting resupplied with fresh water and food. For three days, my platoon lived off of the 1 MRE each we had in our butt packs when we did the air movement. Little did I know that the rest of my company was getting resupply and the 1SG was not ensuring that my platoon was getting a portion of the resupply. It was three days later that the team leader approached me and informed me of what the CO was wanting to do to him and of the situation. To this day I don’t know why he didn’t come and tell me immediately and I don’t know why the CO did not inform me of the circumstances.
After so many days of getting tasking’s from the SMG, I had enough and called him on it as to why am I seeing all of HHC sitting and relaxing in the cool shade of the buildings while my half platoon was out in the sun all day with additionally being tasked with providing six-man details and the fact that Battalion was not giving us resupply. SMG ripped into me telling me not to tell him how to do his job. What a POS.
After ten days of this BS, my 1SG shows up and informs me that I will move my platoon to the location with the rest of the company. So we load up on several HUMWVES and move to the power station. As we arrive, the 1SG told me he and the CO wanted to talk to me. So I go up to their command location in a conference room of the power station. While waiting for them, the 1SG comes in the room and has this huge spaghetti in a steak roll sandwich and he sits down right in front of me and begins to devour the sandwich. I asked him as I was already getting pissed as to where he got it from. He stated that they have been getting this type of food for some time now. I was furious with knowing my platoon was starving the entire time we were back at the other location with little in support and resupply to my platoon.
The CO walks in and sits down. They both inform me of the situation with the team leader. Keep in mind this is now ten days later from when the so-called infraction was committed by the team leader. They ask me if I would support them on requesting a court-martial for the young sergeant. I first look at them and I ask, are you f&cking kidding? They said emphatically no. I said well I support my team leader and as a matter of fact I know he was awake when you the CO walked the perimeter because I just got done walking the perimeter and I had just left that team leader’s position and he was wide awake.
I could see the blood swelling in both their faces when they realized I was not on their side. Without further discussion, I was dismissed. The team leader and I were in discussions often and he asked what I thought he should do. I recommended he take the court-marital as I thought he could beat it easily.
Within three days, a preliminary hearing occurred. I was summoned along with my PL and the team leader. We were directed to report in front of the Battalion Commander. All three of us walk into this large room where the entire battalion staff of officers, other company commanders and 1SGs and a JAG attorney were present. Why all those f%cks were there, I have no idea. Sitting at a table center with the entire group behind him, was the Battalion Commander and the SMG. A lot of documents lay there in front of the BC. So the BC then issues the charges and he asks the team leader first what he desired to do. The team leader stated that he wanted to go through with the court-martial proceedings. The BC began to get very upset. He started threatening the team leader with that he could have him put in front of a firing squad and have him shot. I knew the BS was getting deep and I knew the BC was bluffing in hopes of trying to get the team leader to cave in and accept his punishment.
But the team leader stood his ground as I directed him to before the proceedings. I knew they had nothing on him. The BC then turned to me and asked my thoughts. I said that it was all BS and that it was the CO’s word against my team leader and that I also told the BC what occurred that first night with me checking my perimeter and that the CO had checked it shortly after I did. So it was impossible for the team leader to be found asleep while on security.
The BC then asks the cherry 2nd Lieutenant what he thought. Before the proceedings, the lieutenant told the team leader he was on his side and he ensured him that he would support the team leader before going into the proceedings, I couldn’t believe the words that came out of his mouth. The coward lieutenant caved in and said “burn him sir”. What a freakin’ POS.
So we all stood at attention for a short period when the BC directed us to leave and wait outside. We waited for over two hours and then were called back in. As we reported and saluted, I could see the BC’s leg under the table bouncing up and down intensely and I could see he was not happy. A nice warm feeling passed through my entire body. The BC had his arms crossed and he was looking down at the documents. He then looks up at the team leader and threatens him again with a firing squad and asks him one more time if he wanted to relinquish his request for a special quart-martial. The team leader stated he still wanted to go through with it. So the BC begins to turn multiple shades of dark red. With ferocity, the BC grabs a pile of the documents in front of him and he throws them violently in the air. He yells at the team leader “insufficient evidence, now get the f%ck out of here” as the documents descend. We all salute and quickly turn and march out of the room.
Shortly after we left the room, the 1SG and the SMG came out. I knew there was hell to pay for my platoon would never escape their wrath if I stayed. So I asked the SMG if I could speak to him and the 1SG privately. We went into the kitchen. I requested an immediate transfer to another battalion for fear of reprisal and fear that my platoon would suffer because of these events that occurred. I stood at parade rest for more than 2.5 hours while I was yelled at and lectured on supporting my chain of command. What f%ckin’ bozos. We jumped back into Bragg and the very next Tuesday, I reported to a sister battalion and stood outside the office of the SMG for over four hours. He barks at me and he says without looking me in the eye, I know who you are now report to the 1SG at C Company. So I report to that 1SG. As I walk into his office, I told him who I was. He says okay tell me your story. So I told him what happened. He immediately picks up the phone and calls the 1SG who I had great conflict with in my previous company and he tells the 1SG the story that I just told him and then he asks if it is true. Unbelievably that POS 1SG from the previous company said “yes. It’s true”.
But this didn’t get me off the hook. I was probably the most senior ranking SSG in Division. Yet I was assigned as a squad leader and the PSG of another platoon had less time in grade than I. I accepted my fate and kept my mouth shut. Seven months later, Saddam invaded Kuwait. We were the DRF 1. We deployed August 15th to Saudi. For the next six months I was treated like a red headed step child.
So the word about me from the previous battalion followed me. We were on Sultan range, conducting platoon live fires. We had an old crusty PSG assigned to our platoon. The guy was old and still in fairly good shape. He and I talked quite a bit and he and the current SMG go way back. This old crusty PSG was a DSC recipient from Vietnam as the only scout to survive an ambush off of a hot LZ where he turned into the ambush with his M6o and attacked killing VC up and down their ambush line. He destroyed the VC ambush emplacement single handedly. I had the utmost respect for this guy.
Well, while we were on Sultan range, the CO and 1SG come over and observe our platoon conducting blank fire attack practices with doing 700 meter IMTs from hell across the open hot as all hell desert. The CO didn’t like how the assault element was attacking across the objective and he vehemently tried to suggest we attack from a different angle. Well, I had to disagree as by doing so would cause the assault element which I was the lead of to fire outside the range fan which would endanger another platoon 2000 meters away conducting the same attack on another objective. Immediately the 1SG went off on me demanding I listen to the CO.
We conducted the live fire and denied the CO his wishes. On consolidate and reorganize the CO and the 1SG call a cease of training. The CO then calls the LT over and begins to rip into him. The 1SG then calls us squad leaders and the PSG over where he begins to rip into us. So I had to open my mouth. I forgot what I said but, the 1SG immediately with yelling to the rest of the squad leaders and the PSG to move out and the 1SG then rushed right up to me and throws his knife hand in my face and he begins a verbal assault on me. I immediately go to parade rest with my weapon at order arms. Little did I know that my entire squad had locked and loaded on the 1SG. They were ready to kill him. They had tolerated his berating and screaming and hollering at NCOs and soldiers long before I arrived in that unit.
Now it is freakin’ hot as hell. I’m standing there sweating profusely from the 120-30+ temperature and having to do an IMT three second rush with my assault element across a 700 meter open area that we had just practiced three times before with blanks. As I stood there at parade rest with the 1SG screaming and hollering at me with his hand just a hair from my nose, the 1SG was kind of expecting me to respond or recognize in some fashion to his with berating and yelling at me. His head swells and turns near purple as he commands me while he grits out of the side of his mouth that I respond with either “yes first sergeant, no first sergeant or clear first sergeant”. So I growl and grit my teeth never wavering as I continue to look straight into this 1SG’s eyes cause I’m furious also and I’m about to bring the butt of my weapon up and across the side of his head. So I respond with a very disrespecting gritting through my teeth, “yes first sergeant”.
My actions flustered the 1SG so much he didn’t know what to do but to yell at me to get the f%ck out of his face.
The PSG had enough of this 1SG’s crap, went to the SMG and asked to be moved to another position in the battalion. The SMG gave him the Air S-3 position. Shortly after the PSG moved, the SMG directed that I report to him. I reported and he had a yellow folder on his desk. He said while tapping the folder with his finger that he had a file on me and was keeping track of me and my performance after I was assigned to his battalion from the other battalion. He asked me of what I thought about his old friend the crusty old PSG. I told him I had 150% respect for the guy and that I would support him anytime and that I thought he was a real soldier compared to many others. I also said that I support all Vietnam veterans as they had been to a real war and they went through hell. The SMG looks at me and picks up the folder and said that he really appreciated what I said and that he liked me. He said he was going to throw away the file he had on me. As he was saying this, and he had the yellow folder in his hands, I could see there was nothing in the folder. It was a brand new folder with nothing even written on it.
Several months later, once the war started, we moved by convoy into Iraq. Coincidence my squad was selected to be the breach squad for the first wire and mine obstacle we would encounter if we came under fire and had to attack the positions.
The ground war ended within the week. We stayed in Iraq for near another month and then deployed back to Khobar towers, cleaned up and redeployed back to Bragg.
That 1SG was moved to HHC. I received a class date for ANCOC and left Bragg never to return. So there you have it. Life of a subordinate under the power and arrogance of a few a-holes.

Response by Capt Scott Gerardy made May 9 at 2015 2:39 AM

Capt Scott Gerardy — Sat, 09 May 2015 02:39:15 -0400

Not sure if it counts, but as a Captain ICU nurse, I had a confused, retired Col tell me that he was leaving the ICU. He was suffering from ICU psychosis (basically lack of R.E.M. sleep), had ripped out his IV, arterial line and Foley bladder catheter, removed his cervical collar after c-spine fusion surgery for ankylosing spondylitis and was attempting to walk out of the unit screaming "Do you know who I am? I am Col so-and-so!". I had orders to keep him on strict bedrest with C-collar on and monitor him closely and he decided to try to "escape" as we coded the very unstable patient next door. Fortunately in his extreme confusion, he chose not to argue with "General" Gerardy who ordered him back to bed and to please stop giving the poor nurses and med techs a hard time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 1:46 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 01:46:15 -0400

Rank never trumps proper security credentials. (Ironically in this case his own policy) Sometimes they might even test you to see if you give in
SGM good job!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 2:12 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 02:12:05 -0400

When I was a Battalion Sergeant Major, I reviewed all the NCOERs for all the NCOs in the Battalion, just to make sure they were correctly done, no spelling errors, that the bullets supported the ratings given, and all that. I had one from one of my field sites prepared by a CW4 for a SSG who worked for him. It had a number of errors, some of the ratings were top block but the bullets didn't support them, and the grammar and spelling in the narrative had numerous problems. So I sent it back to the Chief with the corrections marked. I got it back later that day with many of the same errors, and no changes to the bullets or the ratings.

I called the Chief the next morning and I first asked him if he thought the Soldier should be promoted. He said "Yes." So I explained to him the process and why the ratings had to be supported by the bullets, what it would do to the soldier if they didn't, and how spelling and other errors on the NCOER could impact the SSG's promotion chances. I told him I was only trying to help the SSG and him make the NCOER the best it could be to improve the SSG's chances for promotion. I told him he could either lower the ratings a block, which would be supported by the bullets and would not hurt the SSG's promotion chances, or he could make the bullets stronger to support the higher ratings, and gave him some examples.

So the next day, I get the NCOER back with the same mistakes. There's a note on it from the Chief to me that says "SGM, with all due respect, I don't work for you. I work for the Commander. So I don't have to take your advice or follow your direction. This is my final NCOER for SSG X."

Just so happens, the S1 has the Chief's OER in his office for the Battalion Commander's Senior Rater comments. I "borrow" the OER from the S1 and fill in the BC's comments with a bunch of inane statements, give him a next to bottom block, misspell his name three different ways, make all kinds of typos, take it back to the S1 and tell him to fax it back to the Chief for his chop before it goes into the BC for concurrence. About an hour later, I get a letter perfect copy of an NCOER for SSG X faxed to me with a note from the Chief that says "You win!"

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 16 at 2015 2:33 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 16 May 2015 02:33:18 -0400

It is was very rare that someone of a higher ranking than myself would try to intimidate me but it happened a few times out a thousand traffic stops I have conducted in my career as an MP. Before I made my first traffic stop ever, I rehearsed everything I would say. I did not leave any room for much dialog with the driver. I was a Sergeant, and he was a Captain in the Army. I wrote him a citation for 60 mph in a 50 mph zone on the range roads on the outskirts of Fort Hood, TX. He told me he worked some office that had to do with military police in the division at Fort Hood. I have never been a division MP so I had no idea who he was. He was trying to use his status as an MP to get out of a rightfully earned citation. After I released him, he called the Provost Marshals Office (police station) and complained and ask the watch commander to destroy the ticket. Well, that night the WC was a civilian and it really made him mad because that is illegal and unethical. When SMs of higher rank ask, "Do you really have to write this citation". I should ask, "Did you really have to speed". I would never ask that; I know better.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 16 at 2015 2:45 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 16 May 2015 02:45:34 -0400

There was this Senior Chief on my last ship who was a body builder, so he was quite large. I was asking him for a favor one day, and I guess he didn't like it. He tried to get in my face by leaning into me (my "bubble") and flexing.
It took all my military bearing not to laugh in his face (I don't care that he would have kicked my ass, but I'm not going to let him punk me either), keep my composure, and state "Senior, I would not be asking you for this favor if there was another way to get this thing done."

He was the day's duty section leader and as such in charge of command vehicles. I needed to borrow a vehicle so that myself and my LTjg division officer could go pick up some classified COMSEC material. Regulations specifically stated that a government vehicle was to be used in cases like that.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 16 at 2015 7:37 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sat, 16 May 2015 07:37:40 -0400

So far not yet sgm.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 7:56 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 07:56:35 -0400

That's a simple "yes" to us 31Bravo(s)

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 16 at 2015 8:01 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Sat, 16 May 2015 08:01:05 -0400

There's a story of Gen. Pershing being denied entry during WWI in France by a Private. Long story short, the Private was got promoted to SGT the next day. Good job!

Response by SGT David T. made May 16 at 2015 8:55 AM

SGT David T. — Sat, 16 May 2015 08:55:08 -0400

On my first tour in Iraq. I was the unit armorer and the commander mandated that we clean all of our NVGs weekly. By the end of the session he wanted a list of who hadn't cleaned theirs. This one day we did that and I provided the list and the company XO was on it. About an hour or so later the XO comes in yelling at the top of his lungs how f***ed I was and that I was going to burn. I looked at him and started walking away and he screamed at me asking where I was going. I looked right at him and said I am going to talk to the commander to have him get control of his out of control Lieutenant. He muttered something unintelligible and stormed off. I did talk to the commander and told him what happened. A couple hours later the XO came back apologized for being unprofessional and handed me the cleanest set of NVGs I had ever seen. I would have liked to have been a fly on that wall.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 16 at 2015 9:33 AM

SFC Joseph James — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:33:06 -0400

Wow good job brother! You can't go wrong with tact, Military bearing, discipline, and following the regulations!

Response by CSM Patrick K. Akuna Jr. made May 16 at 2015 9:44 AM

CSM Patrick K. Akuna Jr. — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:44:27 -0400

Excellent Job Ranger! Standards! You did the right thing.

RLTW!

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made May 16 at 2015 9:46 AM

CPO Joseph Grant — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:46:49 -0400

It happens. Stand your ground. One of the things I used to do was guard exclusion areas for nuclear weapons. Even if it's the CO or an Admiral, he ain't getting in unless he's got everything straight.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made May 17 at 2015 11:02 AM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sun, 17 May 2015 11:02:04 -0400

While stationed at Rhein-Main AB, Germany in 2004, I was working flight line security. Part of my duties included getting a copy of the crew orders from any arriving aircraft that parked within my post limits. A C-17 arrived about half way through my tour and I met with the load master to get the crew orders. He said he didn't have any on him, but he would have the flight commander meet with me with one of his copies. The crew commander (a major) disembarked from the aircraft and was not thrilled to be stopped by security regarding crew orders. He questioned the reasoning behind it and I explained that the orders needed to be obtained and authenticated so it could serve as the crew's EAL for the duration of the stay. His response: "We didn't do this last time." To which I t responded: "Well, somebody wasn't doing their job, sir" He gave me a copy of the orders and checked my line badge to get my name. I thanked him and went about my day. Just another shift in the life of a cop.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 3:55 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:55:40 -0400

I was on the flightline guard duty during an IG inspection. A LTC walked up and I asked for his ID. The ID said Major ____. I said, I am sorry Sir you ID does not show the proper information. The Sgat of the guard came storming down the flightline yelling at me saying this is a legitimate member of the IG team WTH are you doing delaying him?

I told him about the incorrect rank on the ID and the Sgt of the guard went ballistic on me. Then the LTC said. Sgt, apologise to this airman. He is right. And he just earned you points on this inspection.

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made May 22 at 2015 4:17 PM

SGT Jimmy Carpenter — Fri, 22 May 2015 16:17:10 -0400

At Ft Hood not too long after 9/11, my platoon was on gate guard and we were conducting random searches of cars coming through. My PSG instructed me and my team to stop and search every 3rd officers vehicle for the next hour. My teams shift was during the end of lunch time and we stopped the division commander coming back from lunch. My soldier that stopped the car looked at me after rendering a salute and asked me what to do right in front of the General. I told him to search his car just like all the others. The General was agitated and expressed it quite well. I then told him it was his signature on the memorandum for gate guard and just because he signed the policy didn't mean he was exempt from it. He asked me how I was choosing the random vehicles and I told him. He then asked where my PSG was. He went in the guard house and a couple minutes later came out, told me and my men "good job" and left. My PSG came out and looked like he was sweating bullets. He thought he was going to get his ads reamed but the General told him that we were doing a great job and that I didn't let his stars intimidate me and prevent me from doing my job.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 4:38 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 16:38:07 -0400

Higher position, not rank.

I love my CSMs, I really do but sometimes things get personal. I rated a SSG who had been that rank for 9 years. Yes, he had some personal values issues (Large SUV with rims, stereo, AV system as well as 2 motorcycles, trailer for them, etc. All while supporting ex) but from my standpoint, he brought real leadership and value to my section. He didn't show up for formation twice and received a summarized Art 15.
His annual NCOER came around and I wrote it up. It was returned to me personally by the BN CSM by him balling it up and throwing it on my desk and he said that we had an integrity problem by not mentioning his Art 15. I explained that I didn't have to and that it had no bearing on his performance and potential during the rating period. A commander's review ensued and then a counseling session with the BDE CSM. After reviewing the regs with the BDE CSM, I reprinted the NCOER got the signatures through and presented it back up. It then went through the CSM review again during which it was 'lost' for three months. Just long enough to not make it to the board.....Fortunately, the NCO was picked up for SFC two years later.
I forgot to mention, the BN CSM was a Mason. A few months before writing the NCOER, the SSG was asked to leave the local lodge.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 16 at 2015 8:08 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 08:08:10 -0400

People don't intimidate, people are intimidated.

Response by SSG Vik Polivka made May 19 at 2016 1:56 PM

SSG Vik Polivka — Thu, 19 May 2016 13:56:52 -0400

Mostly on the radio, "You don't out me, I out you!"...not true...not when I start the convo.

Response by LTC John Wilson made May 30 at 2016 9:42 PM

LTC John Wilson — Mon, 30 May 2016 21:42:44 -0400

You really don't want to know and you did the right thing.

Response by LTC John Wilson made May 30 at 2016 10:03 PM

LTC John Wilson — Mon, 30 May 2016 22:03:20 -0400

I was just Medevaced from Vietnam to the hospital at Valley forge, PA. I was then placed on one year administrative leave (No Parachuting or heavy training so I could heal properly). To really screw things up, they assigned me as the Company commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USAG, Fort Meade, Md.
I reported in as a first Lieutenant and the captain on duty was upset and asked if I had been to the company area? I stated, "No." he said that I was promoted to Captain over a moth before and to get the right insignia on before greeting General Seaman, Third Army. But, before I had the chance to get my new Rank, general Seaman arrived at HQ and asked me to meet with him in his office.
He told me that he needed a hard charging Captain in the USAG company. someone that would not take any crap from higher Staff officers, who thought they were really issuing orders for the commander. We had a good hours talk and I was told He would pin on my Captain's bars. He reached into his desk drawer and brought out a beat up set. He said, "these served me well over the years. Hopefully they will do the same for you." He pinned them on without any fanfare and I went to report into my New command.
Months later a new Major reported in and assumed the new position of Headquarters Commandant. He was to advise me in Administrative matters pertaining to my unit, but not be in command over me. He was staff and that was it. Well, that doesn't always register with them very well.
One morning I had some MP's bring a young staff sergeant into my office. They had arrested him for alleged Driving under the influence. I knew this wasn't true, because I had given the young man his Butifued medication three hours earlier. he explained to me that he was not drunk and that the only reason he hit the car in front of him, was because the driver pulled out into the intersection , and as he was moving into that space by the stop sign, she reversed gears and ran into his front of the car.
I asked, " Did he investigate the accident?" He said, " No sir, I took the word of an officer's wife.
I asked, "Did she give a written or verbal statement". He stated, " Verbal sir." I told him it was unacceptable and that he needed to get a written statement and check for other witnesses to the event. He said, " I was told by Major ???? to just arrest the Sergeant and proceed with bringing him to your office for disciplinary action." I Signed for my Sargeant and released him without any disciplinary action.
A few days later, The Major appeared in my office and Ordered me to give the sargeant a Special court Martial for DWI." I asked, "On what grounds?" He said because he said so. I immediately picked up the telephone and contacted General seamans office. I told the Captain on the other end that I wanted to see or talk to General Seaman. It was scheduled for later that afternoon. I then asked the Major to leave my office and meet me at the General's office in a few hours.
The Sargent was not Court Martial, the Major was relieved of his command. But, He managed to write a scathing Officer's Evaluation Report on me and sent it to the Department of Personnel without forwarding it appropriately. I had to go through two years of paperwork to have it removed and had orders back to Vietnam within 5 months of his departure. I loved it and went out the door singing Airborne at a high pitch.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 15 at 2020 11:47 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 15 May 2020 11:47:45 -0400

I did until they found out that I was the commanders driver, then they backed off fast.